Tourist in Own Country: My Way from Work in Kyiv
Perfect to see in spring!
Ukraine is at an existential war at the moment, and we are grateful to everyone who supports us no matter what. Originally from the Donbas region, I’m in Kyiv now.
And guess what?
It’s amazing how the perception of one’s land in peacetime differs from that in wartime! The buildings, nature, services, and people you might take for granted get new meanings and senses: You start appreciating every detail and getting wowed by tiny things like a singing bird on a tree or a bench in a park where you CAN sit and look at the Dnipro River and the sun.
I do love walking, you know! In a new city, I never take buses, taxis, or go underground but choose to see this new place on foot. I want to smell it, feel its spirit, and understand whether it’s “mine.” Today, I’d like to invite you for a walk through the capital of my country, or rather its tiny part:
It’s the route from work I take every time there’s nice weather — a six-kilometer distance would be uncomfortable to cover under rain or snow, huh? — and no missile attacks outside.
Let’s go through the central part of the city!
(Nope, you won’t see the Maidan here. Please let me know in the comments if you want to see what it — and the very heart of Kyiv, Khreschatyk Street — look today, and I will walk there with you in my next article.)
My journey begins in Podil, a historic neighborhood in Kyiv. Located over the Dnipro River, it’s one of the oldest areas. The city’s trade and commerce were born here in the times of Kyivan Rus’, and Podil served as the city center after the Mongol invasion (the 13th century) until the 19th century.
This photo shows the typical buildings of the Podil area I see when walking home from the office. The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the city’s port, Pyrohoshcha Church, Hostynnyi Dvir, and many other worth-seeing sights are also located here.
From Square of Contracts at Podil, we move to Andriivskyi (Andrew’s) Descent, also a historic one, connecting Podil with Kyiv’s Upper Town.
Known as the “Montmartre of Kyiv,” the descent is among the major tourist attractions. It’s 720 m (2,360 ft) in length, and here you can see many historic landmarks, monuments, museums, tourist shops, and cozy cafes.
Walking through this street feels like you’re in the Middle Ages but with modern-day vibes.
But it’s time to leave it and enter Saint Michael’s Square, which is among Kyiv’s most iconic places.
This square lies in front of Saint Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, which played a crucial role for protestants during the Revolution of Dignity (2014). It’s about 450 m (1,500 ft) from Maidan and 300 m (1,000 ft) from Sophia Square, where Saint Sophia Cathedral stays.
Saint Michael’s Square is your top place to visit to see a memorial to the victims of the Holodomor, the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine, a Russo-Ukrainian War memorial, and many historical monuments.
I don’t give many details on each landmark so this article wouldn’t sound like Wikipedia. We all have access to this encyclopedia, after all. :) Let’s continue our walk through Sophia Square to Volodymyrska Street, named after Volodymyr the Great (the prince of Kyivan Rus).
One of the oldest streets in the city, Volodymyrska Street, is long and full of educational, cultural, and government institutions. It’s often crowded, and here you’ll see many cafes, historical monuments, and exciting details to notice.
Places of interest you may like while walking here:
- The Golden Gate of Kyiv (Zoloti Vorota) — the main gate to the capital in the 11th century, served as fortifications back then
- Teacher’s House (former building of Central Council of Ukraine)
- Red University Building of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
- Taras Shevchenko Park
- National Museum of the History of Ukraine
- Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument
- Revenue house
But again, also remember to pay attention to details:
Due to the war, many central monuments in Kyiv look like this:
It’s done to protect them from missiles and save as much of our historical heritage as possible. We are standing and waiting for all of you after the victory.
Thank you for walking with me today!
It’s Kyiv in April 2024, and it’s just a few details from just two streets of this huge and beautiful city proud of its history, citizens, and defenders.
Please don’t hesitate to clap and comment if you like this snapshot of my reality in Ukraine and if you want to see more. I did my best to avoid talking about the war a lot or taking pictures that hurt… I hope I managed it.
